JP2004128762

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DESCRIPTION JP2004128762
An object of the present invention is to cope with an abnormality in CPU control or a digital
system power down. A second control signal corresponding to an operation of an operating
element is generated without the intervention of a CPU, for an analog switch which is on / off
controlled via CPU control according to an operation of an operating element for mixing. Do.
When CPU control is abnormal, the second control signal is selected, and the analog switch is
turned on / off by the selected signal. When the first control voltage is supplied to the fader VCA
through CPU control according to the amount of operation of the fader, it is composed of a
predetermined constant voltage and / or an analog voltage according to the amount of fader
operation when CPU control is abnormal. A second control voltage is selected to control the fader
VCA with the second control voltage. The control signal line of the CPU-controlled analog switch
is resistively pulled up or down, and the on / off control of the analog switch is performed
according to the pull up or down state when the digital power is down. [Selected figure] Figure 1
CPU controlled analog mixer
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an
analog mixer used in various places handling analog audio signals such as theaters, concert halls
and studios, and more particularly to an analog mixer digitally controlled by a CPU. More
specifically, the present invention relates to taking measures to cope with an abnormality of a
digital control system such as a CPU in this type of analog mixer. [0002] In an analog mixer that
mixes audio signals in an analog manner, the scene control is performed to control a plurality of
switches and faders for mixing setting (to control the state of each switch and fader). A digital
control of the target switches and faders by the CPU is performed. For example, scene setting
data including data instructing on or off of each switch to be scene controlled and data indicating
setting / operation amount for each fader is provided in the scene memory attached to the CPU.
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Each scene is stored, and when the mixer operator operates the desired scene recall switch, the
corresponding scene setting data is read from the scene memory, and the state of each switch is
set to ON or OFF accordingly. And set the setting / operation state for each fader. SUMMARY OF
THE INVENTION In such a CPU-controlled analog mixer, when the CPU is stopped due to
software or hardware, or the digital power is shut down. In such a case, there is a disadvantage
that the switches and faders digitally controlled by the CPU become uncontrollable, and the
analog mixer can not be used at all. For example, when the CPU stops functioning, the on / off
control of the analog switch element controlled to be on / off by the CPU becomes impossible. It
will be in the unstable state which shakes while off. In addition, since the control of the voltagecontrolled amplifier for faders whose gain is controlled by the CPU is also disabled, the gain at
the time of stopping the CPU function gradually changes and does not stabilize, or the gain is
stuck at maximum or minimum. I hate it. If the gain of the voltage-controlled amplifier for the
faders is not stable, it will not work even if you try to recover as much as possible using other
manually adjustable controls. Also, conventionally, the same power supply (digital power supply)
for the analog switch element of the analog mixing unit as the power supply for the digital
control unit is used, so the analog switch element itself switches when the power supply for the
digital control unit is down. It became inoperable and there was no attempt to recover.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned point, and an object of the
present invention is to provide a CPU-controlled analog mixer which takes measures to cope with
an abnormality of a digital control system such as a CPU. A CPU-controlled analog mixer
according to the present invention is a mixing unit for mixing analog signals, and is controlled on
/ off by a control signal for a predetermined mixing setting. And a CPU control unit which stores
a first control signal in association with a predetermined operation element and outputs the
stored first control signal under control of a CPU, and the predetermined control signal. The
second control signal corresponding to the operation of the operation element is generated
without the control of the CPU, and the first control signal output by the CPU control unit is
normally selected, and the abnormality of the CPU control unit Sometimes, the second control
signal is selected, and switching control means for on / off controlling the analog switch element
with the selected control signal is provided. According to this, while the mixing setting can be
performed by controlling the analog switch element on / off by the first control signal output by
the CPU control unit, the CPU control is performed when the CPU control unit is abnormal. The
mixing setting can be performed by controlling the on / off of the analog switch element with the
second control signal generated without the intervention of the second control signal, and an
abnormality in the CPU can be dealt with. A CPU-controlled analog mixer according to another
aspect of the present invention is a mixing unit that mixes analog signals, and includes a voltage
controlled amplifier that controls the amplitude of the analog signal according to the control
voltage signal. And a CPU control unit that generates digital data according to the amount of
operation of a predetermined fader operator, converts the digital data into an analog signal and
outputs it as a first control voltage signal, and is usually output by the CPU control unit. Selection
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control means for selecting the first control voltage signal, selecting a second control voltage
signal consisting of a predetermined voltage when the CPU control section is abnormal, and
controlling the voltage control amplifier with the selected control voltage signal And According
to this, by controlling the voltage control type amplifier with the first control voltage signal
output by the CPU control unit, the setting of the fader operation state can be performed by the
CPU control, while at the time of abnormality of the CPU control unit By controlling the voltagecontrolled amplifier to a predetermined gain with a second control voltage signal consisting of a
predetermined voltage, it is possible to ensure that an analog signal is introduced to the mixing
unit with a predetermined gain, and to cope with an abnormality in the CPU.
A CPU-controlled analog mixer according to another aspect of the present invention is a mixing
unit that mixes analog signals, and includes a voltage control amplifier that controls the
amplitude of the analog signal according to the control voltage signal. And a CPU control unit
that generates digital data according to the amount of operation of a predetermined fader
operator, converts the digital data into an analog signal and outputs it as a first control voltage
signal, and the amount of operation of the predetermined fader operator Voltage generation
means for generating an analog voltage in accordance with the first control voltage signal output
by the CPU control unit, and the analog voltage generated by the voltage generation means when
the CPU control unit is abnormal Selection control means for selecting a second control voltage
signal comprising the voltage control amplifier and controlling the voltage controlled amplifier
with the selected control voltage signal. Ru. According to this, by controlling the voltage control
type amplifier with the first control voltage signal output by the CPU control unit, the setting of
the fader operation state can be performed by the CPU control, while at the time of abnormality
of the CPU control unit By controlling the voltage-controlled amplifier with a second control
voltage signal consisting of an analog voltage generated by the voltage generation means (with a
control voltage corresponding to the operation amount of the fader operator), the analog signal is
an operation amount of the fader operator Can be introduced into the mixing unit with a gain
corresponding to the CPU to cope with the abnormality of the CPU. An analog mixer according to
still another aspect of the present invention is a mixing unit that mixes analog signals, and
includes an analog switch element that is on / off controlled by a control signal for a
predetermined mixing setting. And a digital control unit that outputs a control signal according to
an operation of an operation element corresponding to the analog switch element, and performs
on / off control of the analog switch element by the control signal. A power supply supplied from
a predetermined second power supply, and a pull-up or pull-down control signal source
connected to a supply line of the control signal to the analog switch element; When the power is
down, the analog switch is turned on by the control signal source pulled up or down. It is
characterized in that on / off control of the element is performed. According to this, the digital
control unit normally turns on / off the analog switch element according to the control signal,
but when the second power supply to the digital control unit goes down, the control by the
digital control unit becomes impossible However, since the on / off control of the analog switch
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element is performed by the control signal source pulled up or down, the analog switch element
is set on or off by appropriately setting the pull up or pull down. The mixing operation can be
made executable and can handle power down of the digital control.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings. A CPU-controlled analog mixer according to an embodiment of the
present invention is roughly divided into a mixing unit 10 and a CPU control unit 50. FIG. 1
shows a configuration example of the mixing unit 10, and FIG. 2 shows a CPU control unit An
example of 50 configurations is shown. The mixing unit 10 only needs to have an analog mixing
function similar to a known analog mixer with respect to the mixing function itself. For example,
analog audio signals are input through a plurality of input channels, and the analog of each input
channel is input. The audio signal is distributed to any mixing bus, mixed for each mixing bus,
and the mixed analog audio signal is output through an output channel corresponding to each
mixing bus. First, a configuration example of the input channel will be described. Although FIG. 1
illustrates the schematic configuration of only one input channel INch # 1 with respect to the
input channels of the mixing unit 10, other plural input channels (not shown) may be similarly
configured. The analog audio signal input to the input channel INch # 1 includes an input gain
adjustment amplifier 11, an equalizer (EQ) 12, a voltage control amplifier for fader (hereinafter
abbreviated as VCA) 13, and an input channel on / off Processing is performed through the relay
14 and the route of the buffer amplifier 15. FIG. 3A shows an arrangement of operators in an
input channel operator module provided corresponding to one input channel INch # 1 in the
operation panel of the analog mixer according to this embodiment. The input gain adjustment
amplifier 11 operates in response to the operator's operation of a knob type operator
(hereinafter, this type of knob is referred to as “A knob”) which can only be manually operated
(that is, not controlled by the CPU). The amplifier adjusts the input gain of the analog audio
signal for the input channel. As a symbol of “A knob”, in FIG. 1, a circle indicating a knob is
used with an arrow indicating a variable volume superimposed, and in FIG. 1, a symbol drawn by
this symbol is not particularly described. Is also an "A knob". Further, in FIG. 3, the symbol “A”
is described as a symbol of “A knob” in the drawing. The input gain knob 11 a in FIG. 3A is the
“A knob” corresponding to the input gain adjustment amplifier 11.
The plurality of equalizer control knobs 12 a in FIG. 3A are operators for adjusting the
characteristics of the equalizer 12 and also consist of “A knobs” which can be operated only
manually. The VCA 13 for faders is gain controlled in accordance with the amount of operation
of the fader operator 13a corresponding to the input channel INch # 1, and is CPU controlled.
Hereinafter, the CPU-controlled fader is referred to as "C fader". In FIG. 3, the symbol “C” is
described as a symbol of the illustrated CPU-controlled faders and switches. The fader operator
13a itself includes the slide variable resistor 13b and the slide knob 13c (see FIG. 3A) for sliding
the variable resistor. A configuration example for controlling the fader VCA 13 via the CPU
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control unit 50 according to the operation of the fader operator 13a will be described later. The
input channel on / off relay 14 is for turning on / off (passing or blocking) the audio signal on
the input channel INch # 1, and is a CPU-controlled switch, that is, a channel on switch 14a
which is a "C switch". The CPU performs on / off control according to the operation (see FIG. 3A).
An output signal of the buffer amplifier 15 is distributed to a plurality of mixing setting lines
corresponding to various mixing buses. The mixing setting line corresponding to the left and
right stereo buses L and R will be described. The analog audio signal output from the buffer
amplifier 15 is input to the pan control balance volume 16 and the left and right volume of
stereo pan set by the volume 16 Are distributed to the left channel and the right channel, and are
input to the analog switch elements 17a and 17b via the buffer amplifiers for the left and right
channels. The output of the analog switch element 17a of the left channel is connected to the left
channel bus L for stereo. The output of the analog switch element 17b of the right channel is
connected to the right channel bus R for stereo. An operator for manually operating the pan
control balance volume 16 is the PAN knob 16a shown in FIG. 3A, which is an "A knob", ie, not
controlled by the CPU. On the other hand, in the block of each of the analog switch elements 17a
and 17b, a display of "Esw" is attached. As such, the one with the display of “Esw” indicates
that it is an electronic control switch, that is, one that is CPU-controlled.
The analog switch elements 17a and 17b perform on / off setting (that is, mixing setting) of
supplying the audio signal of the input channel INch # 1 to the left and right stereo buses L and
R, as shown in FIG. The analog switch elements 17a and 17b of the left and right channels are
interlocked and set to the on or off state according to the operation of one ST (stereo
abbreviation) switch 17c shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3A, the ST switch 17c is marked with "C"
to indicate that it is CPU controlled, that is, it is "C switch". In addition, in FIG. 1, a configuration
example for controlling an analog switch element with a display of “Esw” via the CPU control
unit 50 will be described later. A description will be given of mixing setting lines corresponding
to a plurality n of group buses GROUP. The analog audio signal output from the buffer amplifier
15 has analog switch elements 18 a to 18 c provided corresponding to each bus of the group bus
GROUP. Each is input to 18n. The outputs of the analog switch elements 18a to 18n are
connected to the corresponding buses in the group bus GROUP. The analog switch elements 18a
to 18n perform on / off setting (that is, mixing setting) of supplying the audio signal of the input
channel INch # 1 to each bus of the group bus GROUP, as shown in FIG. For the sake of
convenience, only four GROUP switches 18 are shown, but the GROUP switches 18 are provided
corresponding to the respective buses of the group bus GROUP, and control of the CPU control
unit 50 is performed according to the operation of each GROUP switch 18. Thus, the
corresponding analog switch elements 18a to 18n are set to the on or off state. A description will
be given of mixing setting lines corresponding to a plurality n of auxiliary buses AUX. An analog
consisting of variable volumes 19a to 19n consisting of "A knobs" and "C switches"
corresponding to each bus of auxiliary buses AUX Switch elements 20a to 20n are provided in
series. The analog audio signal output from the buffer amplifier 15 is input to each of the
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variable volumes 19a to 19n, and is further input to each bus of the auxiliary bus AUX via the
analog switch elements 20a to 20n. The variable volumes 19a to 19n are used to manually adjust
the mixing level of the audio signal of the input channel INch # 1 individually to each bus of the
auxiliary bus AUX. In FIG. 3A, four AUX level knobs are used for convenience. Although only 19
is shown, an AUX level knob 19 is provided corresponding to each bus of the auxiliary bus AUX.
The analog switch elements 20a to 20n perform on / off setting of supplying the audio signal of
the input channel INch # 1 to each bus of the auxiliary bus AUX, and four analog switch elements
20a to 20n are shown in FIG. The AUX switch 20 is provided corresponding to each bus of the
auxiliary bus AUX, and the CPU control unit 50 controls the AUX switch 20 according to the
operation of each AUX switch 20. Each analog switch element 20a to 20n is set to the on or off
state. The other input channels not shown are also configured in the same manner as described
above, and are connected to the mixing buses L, R, GROUP, and AUX. Next, a configuration
example of output channels corresponding to the mixing buses L, R, GROUP, and AUX will be
described. The output channel corresponding to the bus L for the left channel of the stereo
manually operates the output level of the mixed signal output from the buffer amplifier 21a for
inputting the signal mixed via the bus L and the buffer amplifier 21a. It comprises a fader control
22a for adjustment and a relay 23a for controlling on / off of the stereo left channel. Similarly,
for the output channel corresponding to the right channel bus R for stereo, the buffer amplifier
21b for inputting the signal mixed via the bus R, and the output level of the mixed signal output
from the buffer amplifier 21b And a relay 23ab for controlling on / off of the stereo right
channel. FIG. 3B shows an arrangement of operating elements in an operating module provided
corresponding to the stereo output channel in the operating panel of the analog mixer according
to this embodiment. In the figure, two slide-type knobs 22 are slide-type knobs for each of the
fader controls 22a and 22b dedicated to manual adjustment that are not CPU-controlled, and "A"
is shown to indicate that they are "A faders" that are not CPU-controlled. It is written. Each of the
relays 23a and 23b turns on / off (passes or cuts off) an audio signal in the corresponding output
channel, and is a CPU-controlled switch, that is, a "C switch". The CPU performs on / off control
according to the operation. An output channel corresponding to one bus of group bus GROUP
has a buffer amplifier 24 for inputting a signal mixed through the bus, and an output level of the
mixed signal output from the buffer amplifier 24. It consists of a fader control 25 for manual
adjustment, and a relay 26 for controlling the on / off of the output channel, and further, the
mixed signal whose output level is adjusted by the fader control 25 is left and right stereo bus L,
Pan control balance volume 27 for input to R, and analog for on / off control of signals
distributed to the left and right channels at a ratio according to the left and right volume of
stereo pan set by the volume 27 Switch elements 28a and 28b are provided.
The output of the analog switch element 28a is connected to the bus L of the left channel, and
the output of the analog switch element 28b is connected to the bus R of the right channel. FIG. 3
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(c) shows an arrangement of operators in an operator module provided corresponding to an
output channel of one of the group bus GROUP in the operation panel of the analog mixer
according to this embodiment. In the figure, one slide-type knob 25a is a slide-type knob of each
manual operation only fader adjuster 25 not controlled by CPU, and is an "A fader" not controlled
by CPU. The relay 26 turns on / off (passes or cuts off) the audio signal in the output channel,
and is turned on by the CPU in response to the operation of the CPU-controlled switch, that is,
the output channel on switch 26a which is a "C switch". / Off control. An operator for manually
operating the pan control balance volume 27 is the PAN knob 27a shown in FIG. 3C, which is an
"A knob", that is, not controlled by the CPU. On the other hand, the analog switch elements 28a
and 28b of the left and right channels are interlocked and set to the on or off state according to
the operation of one ST switch 28c (FIG. 3C) which is a "C switch". Although illustration is
omitted, output channels corresponding to other buses of group bus GROUP are similarly
configured. Since the configuration of the input channels and output channels related to the
group bus GROUP is as described above, this group bus GROUP wants to group among multiple
input channels as a stage before final mixing in the stereo bus. It can be used as a bus for mixing
audio signals of input channels. For example, when it is desired to group two input channels (for
example, # 1 and # 2), the analog switch element 18a of input channel # 1 is turned on and
mixed to the first group of buses, and The analog switch element 18a is turned on and mixed
with the first group of buses. As a result, the audio signals of the input channels # 1 and # 2 are
mixed by the bus of the first group, so that the A fader control 25 of the output channel
(temporarily GROUP # 1) corresponding to the bus of the first group It is possible to adjust the
level in common, and to perform pan setting in common with the balance volume 27 for pan
control, and to supply to the stereo buses L and R.
An output channel corresponding to one bus of the auxiliary bus AUX includes a buffer amplifier
29 for inputting the signal mixed through the bus, and an output level of the mixed signal output
from the buffer amplifier 29. It comprises a fader control 30 for manual adjustment, and a relay
31 for controlling the on / off of the output channel. FIG. 3D shows an arrangement of operators
in an operator module provided corresponding to the output channel of one of the auxiliary
buses AUX in the operation panel of the analog mixer according to this embodiment. In the
figure, the slide-type knob 30a is a slide-type knob of the fader control 30 for manual adjustment
only that is not CPU-controlled, and is an "A-fader" that is not CPU-controlled. The relay 31 turns
on / off (passes or cuts off) the audio signal in the output channel, and is turned on by the CPU in
response to the operation of the CPU-controlled switch, that is, the output channel on switch 31a
which is a "C switch". / Off control. Although illustration is omitted, output channels
corresponding to other buses of the auxiliary bus AUX are similarly configured. Each bus of the
auxiliary bus AUX can be individually level-adjusted by the “A-knob” controls 19a to 19n in
the mixing setting line of the input channel associated with it and mixed to the corresponding
output channel . Therefore, it is possible to connect the output channel corresponding to each
bus of the auxiliary bus AUX to an external effector or to monitor headphones for each individual
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player to return to the individual player who is playing. It is. For example, an output channel
corresponding to the first bus of the auxiliary bus AUX (for example, AUX # 1) is connected to an
external effector, and audio signals of input channels # 1 and # 2 are supplied to the external
effector. When an effect is to be applied, the desired send level is set with the "A knob" controller
19a for the input channel # 1, and the desired send level is set with the "A knob" controller 19a
for the input channel # 2. Can be mixed by the first bus of the auxiliary bus AUX and supplied to
the external effector through the output channel AUX # 1. Alternatively, if the output channel
(assuming AUX # 2) corresponding to the second bus of the auxiliary bus AUX is connected to
the monitor headphones of a specific individual player, the specific individual player wants to
monitor 1 Alternatively, it is possible to set desired send levels for each input channel and mix
them by means of the “A knob” operator 19 b corresponding to the second bus in a plurality
of input channels.
Next, a configuration example of the CPU control unit 50 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. In the
CPU control unit 50, the flash memory 52, the RAM (random access memory) 53 and the timer
55 are connected to the address and data bus 54 of the CPU (central processing unit) 51, and
further various input / output (I / O) interfaces 56 to 60 and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC)
61 are connected. The flash memory 52 can read and write various programs executed by the
CPU 51, preset states (that is, "scenes") of various operators (C fader and C switch) controlled by
the CPU in the mixing unit 10, and the like. It is a non-volatile memory. That is, the
conventionally known "scene memory" is configured in the flash memory 52. The RAM 53 is, as
is known, a volatile memory used for working memory and data temporary storage. For example,
data indicating the current operation state or operation amount of various operators (C fader and
C switch) controlled by the CPU in the mixing unit 10 is stored in the RAM 53. The display I / O
interface 56 is an interface for connecting a display 62 for a known computer, such as a liquid
crystal or CRT, to a CPU bus 54. The parallel I / O interface 57 is an interface for connecting a
controller group 63 for a known computer such as a keyboard and a mouse to the CPU bus 54.
The serial I / O interface 58 serially inputs and outputs digital data under the control of the CPU
51. In this example, a digital analog converter (DAC) 64 for converting the output serial digital
data into an analog signal. Is connected. The parallel I / O interface 59 inputs and outputs digital
data in parallel under the control of the CPU 51. In this example, a CPU controllable signal CCE
indicating normality / abnormality of the CPU is outputted under the control of the CPU 51. . The
other I / O interface 60 is a comprehensive representation of an I / O interface that can be used
for various other applications, such as I / O for connecting a hard disk drive 65, USB, MIDI, etc.
Communication I / O. Next, a connection example of the mixing unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 and the
CPU control unit 50 shown in FIG. 2 will be described, and further, an example of CPU control
will be described.
First, the output of the slide type variable resistor 13b of the fader operator 13a which is the "C
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fader" in FIG. 1 is input to the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 61 in the CPU control unit 50 of
FIG. Be done. In this embodiment, the slide type variable resistor 13b of the fader operator 13a
generates an operation amount output voltage having a linear characteristic with respect to the
slide operation position. The ADC 61 converts the manipulated variable output voltage of the
fader operator 13 a into digital data, and supplies the digital data to the CPU 51 via the bus 54.
In practice, the fader manipulator 13a is graduated in decibel characteristics to match the decibel
characteristics of human hearing sense, and the corresponding fader VCA 13 should also be
controlled according to this decibel characteristics. . However, as the slide type variable resistor
13b of the fader operator 13a, it is assumed that a variable resistor having a linear characteristic
that can easily increase the accuracy of the detection position at relatively low cost is used. Since
the number of input channels of the mixing unit 10 is considerably many (for example, 96), it is
economically advantageous to use a low-cost slide type variable resistor 13b of the fader
operator 13a. The CPU 51 converts the linear characteristic (the value corresponding to the
linear position of the fader) of the manipulated variable output voltage of the fader operator 13a
into the decibel characteristic (the value corresponding to the scale of the fader position) and
converts it into the decibel characteristic. Control the fader VCA 13 by voltage. That is, the CPU
51 stores the fader operation amount digital data of the linear characteristic supplied from the
ADC 61 via the bus 54 in the RAM 53, and stores and stores the fader operation amount data in
the RAM 53 as current fader operation amount data. Then, the present fader operation amount
data is read out and converted into a decibel characteristic, and the fader operation amount
digital data having the decibel characteristic is given to the serial I / O interface 58 via the bus
54 and inputted to the DAC 64. Thus, a fader manipulated variable analog voltage of decibel
characteristics is output from the DAC 64 and provided via line 42 to the input X of the selector
32 of FIG. The CPU control enable signal CCE is input to the selection control input of the
selector 32 from the parallel I / O interface 59 of FIG. The CPU control enable signal CCE
indicates an active level (for example, "1") when the CPU control unit 50 is operating normally,
and sets the selector 32 in the X input selection state.
Thereby, at the time of CPU normal operation, the fader operation amount analog voltage (that is,
the first control signal) of the decibel characteristic output from the DAC 64 is selected via the X
input of the selector 32, and this is applied to the VCA 13 as a control voltage. . The same applies
to the case where a preset scene is selected, and the preset operation amount data for the fader
operator 13a included in the selected scene is read from the scene memory (52), and this preset
operation is performed. If the amount data is expressed in decibel characteristics, it is converted
directly into analog voltage by the DAC 64, while if the preset manipulated variable data is
expressed in linear characteristics, it is converted into decibel characteristics and then converted
into analog voltage by the DAC 64. It is converted and given to the X input of the selector 32
(that is, as a first control signal). As a result, the control voltage of the fader VCA 13 is set to a
value corresponding to the preset operation amount data for the fader operator 13a in the
selected scene. A C fader drive circuit 66 (FIG. 2) is provided corresponding to each fader
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operator 13a of the "C fader" type. The C fader drive circuit 66 corresponds the slide-type knob
13c (see FIG. 3A) of the corresponding fader operator 13a to the preset operation amount data
for the fader operator 13a included in the selected scene. The position of the knob 13c itself is
electrically set to the state corresponding to the preset operation amount data. It should be noted
that the process of converting the fader operation amount data into the decibel characteristic is
performed by performing the characteristic setting so as to perform the linear-decibel conversion
of the digital-analog conversion characteristic itself in the DAC 64 without performing the digital
processing by the CPU 51. It is also good. Also, the ADC 61 and / or the DAC 64 may be
configured to be time-shared between the fader operators 13 a of the input channels and / or the
VCA 13. Here, measures for ensuring operation of the VCA 13 for “C fader” at the time of CPU
abnormality will be described. As described above, the CPU control enable signal CCE is
generated based on software processing in the CPU 51 so as to indicate an active level (for
example, “1”) when the CPU control unit 50 is operating normally. As shown in FIG. 1, the CPU
controllable signal CCE is pulled down by the resistor 46, and falls to the inactive level when a
hardware malfunction such as a software operation malfunction or a power down occurs in the
CPU control unit 50, and CPU control Indicates that it has become impossible.
Thus, the selector 32 switches to the Y input selection state. The Y input of the selector 32 is
fixed at a predetermined analog voltage. In the illustrated example, the predetermined analog
voltage is the ground voltage (0 volt), which sets the gain of the VCA 13 to 0 decibel. Since the
VCA 13 can attenuate the input signal by minus decibel, it means that when the gain is 0 decibel,
the input signal is allowed to pass at a predetermined sufficient level. As described above, when
the CPU control unit 50 is abnormal, a predetermined analog voltage (that is, the second control
voltage signal) is selected and output via the Y input of the selector 32, and the fader VCA 13 is
predetermined by the selected analog voltage. The gain is controlled to ensure that the input
analog audio signal passes through the fader VCA 13 with the predetermined gain, and an
appropriate action can be taken by the operator's manual operation as described later even in the
case of a CPU abnormality. Note that a path drawn by a dotted line so as to be input to the Y
input of the selector 32 is an example of another countermeasure, which will be described later.
FIG. 5 shows a process example of generating the CPU controllable signal CCE in the process of
the main process of the CPU 51. When the power of the analog mixer is turned on and the main
process of the CPU 51 starts, various initial settings are performed by the initial setting process,
and one of them, the CPU control enable signal CCE is set to "0" (inactive level). Initialize. When
the initial setting is normally completed, the CPU control enable signal CCE is set to "1" (active
level). Here, when an abnormality occurs in the middle of the initial setting, the process exits
from the main battery of FIG. 5 and the subsequent processing is not performed. Therefore, when
the CPU 51 fails in the initial setting, the CPU control enable signal CCE remains "0" (inactive
level), and the CPU control enable signal CCE is "1" (active level) only when the CPU 51 rises
smoothly. Set to). The CPU main process then repeats the normal main routine. That is, various
factors such as the presence or absence of the operation event of the operator group 63 are
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checked, and when the action factor occurs, event processing according to the factor is
performed. In FIG. 2, digital power supply voltages of 12 volts or 5 volts are supplied to the
respective units of the CPU control unit 50 by digital power supplies 68 and 69. When the digital
power supply voltage goes down, CPU control enable signal CCE also goes down to "0" (inactive
level).
A commercial AC power supply 100 volts is supplied to the main digital power supply 68 via a
power supply switch attached to the CPU control unit 50. Next, a configuration example of
controlling the “C switch” by the CPU control unit 50 will be described. In FIG. 1, a block 47
indicated as Csw representatively shows one “C switch” operation element. This "C switch"
operator 47 is not limited to one, but is provided for each analog switch element indicated as Esw
in FIG. 1, and a specific arrangement example thereof is indicated by "C" in FIG. As shown. The
output of each “C switch” controller 47 is input via the line 44 to the Csw switching control
unit 67 of the CPU control unit 50 shown in FIG. A detailed example of the Csw switching control
unit 67 is shown in FIG. Although only the configuration of the Csw switching control unit 67
corresponding to one "C switch" operator 47 is shown in FIG. 4 for convenience, the Csw
switching control unit 67 having the same configuration corresponds to each "C switch".
Provided. In FIG. 4, the “C switch” controller 47 is composed of a self-returning type push
button switch 47 a, and an on operation signal is input to the input port IN of the input / output
port 70 in response to one pressing operation. Be done. The input / output port 70 is connected
to the bus 54 (FIG. 2) of the CPU 51, and the on operation signal inputted via the input port IN is
inputted to the RAM 53 together with the switch number data, and is shown in FIG. By such a
process, the value of the on / off data stored in the RAM 53 corresponding to the switch number
is inverted. That is, the on / off state of the "C switch" is reversed to on or off each time the selfreturning type push button switch 47a is pressed once. FIG. 6 shows an example of on-operation
event processing of “C switch” Csw (i) under the control of the CPU 51, and ST (i) corresponds
to the switch number i of the “C switch” Csw (i). Indicates the value of stored on / off data.
That is, the value ST (i) of the on / off data of the switch number i is inverted in response to the
on operation event of the “C switch” of the switch number i. Then, the value of the on / off
data ST (i) stored in the RAM 53 is read, and the input / output port 70 (FIG. 4) of the analog
switch element Esw (i) corresponding to the switch number i through the bus 54. Output to In
FIG. 4, the input / output port 70 outputs the on / off data ST (i) corresponding to the switch
number i received from the bus 54 from the output OUT and supplies it to the X input of the
selector 71.
The aforementioned CPU control enable signal CCE is input to the selection control input of the
selector 71, and when the CPU control unit 50 is operating normally, the selector 71 is set to the
X input selection state. Thus, during normal CPU operation, data (that is, the first control signal)
indicating the on / off state of the "C switch" output from the input / output port 70 under the
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control of the CPU is transmitted via the X input of the selector 71. This is selected via line 45 to
the switching control input of the corresponding analog switch element in the mixing unit 10, ie
Esw. Thus, the CPU control unit 50 controls on / off of the analog switch element corresponding
to the "C switch". The same applies to the case where a preset scene is selected, and preset on or
off data for the "C switch" included in the selected scene is read from the scene memory (52), The
preset on / off data is set to the input / output port 70 and is selectively output via the X input of
the selector 71. As a result, the analog switch element (Esw) corresponding to the "C switch" is
set to the on or off state. Next, measures for ensuring the operation of the “C switch” when the
CPU is abnormal will be described. Therefore, in the Csw switching control unit 67 of FIG. 4, the
output signal of the push button switch 47a of the "C switch" operator 47 is input to the D flip
flop 72, and each pressing operation of the push button switch 47a. The output state of the D flip
flop 72 is inverted to "1" or "0". As a result, the output of the D flip-flop 72 corresponds to the on
/ off data ST (i) of the "C switch" operator 47 stored in the RAM 53 by the CPU 51 without the
control of the CPU 51. It becomes. The output of the D flip flop 72 is input to the Y input of the
selector 71. The selector 71 selects the Y input when the CPU control enable signal CCE falls to
the inactive level, that is, when the CPU is abnormal, and selectively outputs the output signal of
the D flip flop 72 (that is, the second control signal). This is applied via line 45 to the switching
control input of the corresponding analog switch element (Esw) in the mixing unit 10. As
described above, in the Csw switching control unit 67, the on / off data (second control signal)
corresponding to the operation of the "C switch" operation element 47 is not stored in the D flipflop 72 without the control of the CPU 51. Since the data is stored, the on / off data (second
control signal) of the D flip-flop 72 is alternatively used at the time of abnormality such as a stop
of the function of the CPU 51 to turn on / off the corresponding analog switch element (Esw).
You can recover the state.
Each “C switch” operating element 47 is constituted by a self-illuminating keytop including an
LED lamp for indicating the on / off state thereof, and an output signal of the corresponding
selector 71 is given to the LED lamp to turn it on ( By turning on or off (turn off), the operator
can recognize the current on / off setting state. Since the power supply to the Csw switching
control unit 67 is performed by the digital power supply 69 of 5 volts, the storage content of the
D flip-flop 72 is also erased when the power supply to the CPU control unit 50 is down. I will.
Therefore, the Csw switching control unit 67 can cope with the CPU abnormal operation but can
not cope with the digital power down. Also, conventionally, the power supply voltage for the
analog switch element (Esw) in the analog mixing unit is digitally controlled, and the power
supply voltage for the analog switch element (Esw) is supplied from the digital power supply.
Therefore, when the digital power supply is down, the analog switch element (Esw) in the analog
mixing unit itself has become inoperable. In view of this point, in the present embodiment,
measures are taken so that the analog switch element (Esw) in the analog mixing unit 10 does
not become inoperable even when the digital power supply is shut down. Therefore, first, as
shown in FIG. 1, the 15 volt power supply voltage generated by the main analog power supply 73
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is supplied to each part in the mixing unit 10 and dropped to 5 volts by the second analog power
supply 74. , And supply them as a power supply voltage for the analog switch element (Esw). The
main analog power supply 73 is supplied with 100 volts of commercial AC power via a power
switch attached to the mixing unit 10. Then, the control signal source Vc pulled up via the
resistor 33 to the supply line of the control signal of each analog switch element (Esw), for
example, the supply line 45 of the control signal of the analog switch element 20n in the
illustrated example of FIG. Connect the pulled down control signal source (eg, ground voltage). In
FIG. 1, for convenience, only one analog switch element 20n is pulled up to the control signal
source Vc via the resistor 33, but supply lines for control signals of all analog switch elements
labeled Esw are displayed. Each is pulled up or down to a predetermined control signal source.
Whether the control line of the control signal of the analog switch element (Esw) is pulled up or
down is appropriate to turn on the analog switch element (Esw) when the CPU can not be
controlled by digital power down. It is appropriately determined for each mixing setting line,
depending on whether it is appropriate or off.
When the digital power supplies 68 and 69 in the CPU control unit 50 are normal, the output
line 45 of each Csw switching control unit 67 turns off a predetermined voltage for turning on
the corresponding analog switch element (Esw) or turns off The on / off of these analog switch
elements (Esw) is CPU-controlled. On the other hand, when the digital power supplies 68 and 69
in the CPU control unit 50 are turned down, the outputs of all the Csw switching control units 67
are turned off to be in a floating state, and the control signal supply line (45) of the
corresponding analog switch element (Esw) Follow the state of resistive pull up or pull down.
That is, when the resistor is pulled up, "1" is supplied as a control signal of the corresponding
analog switch element (Esw), and the analog switch element (Esw) is turned on. Further, in the
case of resistance pull-down, “0” is supplied as a control signal of the corresponding analog
switch element (Esw), and the analog switch element (Esw) is turned off. The Csw switching
control unit 67 is not limited to the analog switch element (Esw), and is similarly provided for
each input relay 14 and output relays 23 a, 23 b, 26 and 31 in the mixing unit 10. However,
these relays are not subjected to resistance pull-down or pull-up as in the case of the analog
switch element (Esw) as a measure against digital power down. As measures against digital
power down for each of the input relays 14 and the output relays 23a, 23b, 26 and 31, by
configuring the relays with normally-closed contacts, each time the digital power is down, each
relay is configured. The relay contacts are automatically set to the on (closed) state by default.
Next, a recovery example of the mixing process that can be realized by the present embodiment
when the function of the CPU 51 is stopped will be described. In this case, the "C switch", that is,
each analog switch element (Esw) and each relay are controlled by the corresponding Csw
switching control unit 67 to turn on / off for mixing setting without using CPU control. Control
can be continued, and on the basis of manual operation, these "C switches" can be turned on / off
to change the mixing setting as desired. On the other hand, the "C fader" in the input channel,
that is, the VCA 13 controlled by the fader operator 13a is fixed at a predetermined gain (0 dB)
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by a predetermined voltage applied via the Y input of the selector 32.
Thus, although the audio signal can pass through the "C fader" of each input channel, the level
can not be variably controlled by the "C fader". Therefore, according to the subsequent mixing
path, the level control is performed as much as possible using a non-CPU controlled / manually
operated "A fader" operator. Since the level control can not be performed by the “C fader” of
each input channel, the mixing level can not be variably set for each input channel to the stereo
buses L and R. With regard to an input channel which may be mixed with a predetermined
reference level (0 decibel), the analog switch elements 17a and 17b for the stereo buses L and R
may be turned on and passed as they are. On the other hand, the analog switch elements 17a and
17b for the stereo buses L and R are turned off for the input channel for which it is desired to
perform variable adjustment of the mixing level for the stereo buses L and R. Instead, an
appropriate one of the group buses GROUP is selected as a pre-processing bus to the stereo bus.
For example, when the first bus (GROUP # 1) of the group bus GROUP is selected as the preprocessing bus to the stereo bus, the analog switch element 18a for the first bus (GROUP # 1) is
turned on, and the group The analog switch elements 28a and 28b to the stereo bus of the
output channel (GROUP # 1) for the first bus of the bus GROUP are turned on. Then, the "A fader"
operator 25 of the output channel (GROUP # 1) is manually operated to variably set the desired
level. Further, the pan control balance volume 27 which is the “A knob” of the output channel
(GROUP # 1) is manually operated to variably set the desired pan control state. As a result, the
audio signal of the input channel is mixed to the first bus of the group bus GROUP via the analog
switch element 18a, and the desired “A fader” operator 25 of the corresponding output
channel (GROUP # 1) The level is variably adjusted, and is redistributed to the stereo buses L and
R via the pan control balance volume 27 and the analog switch elements 28a and 28b, and
mixed. In this way, desired mixing can be performed on the stereo buses L and R via the group
bus GROUP. In the output channels for the stereo buses L and R, the output levels are adjusted by
the "A fader" operators 22a and 22b, so the output level adjustment can be performed without
any problem.
With regard to the mixing with respect to the auxiliary bus AUX, since the “A fader” operators
19 a to 19 n are provided in the mixing setting line for each auxiliary bus AUX in the input
channel, level control is performed with the “C fader” of each input channel. Even if this is not
possible, variable setting of the desired mixing level may be manually performed with these "A
fader" operators 19a to 19n. Next, a recovery example of the mixing process that can be realized
by the present embodiment when the digital power supply is shut down will be described. In this
case, "C fader", that is, the VCA 13 controlled by the fader operator 13a is fixed to a
predetermined gain (0 dB) as described above, and recovery control by each Csw switching
control unit 67 is invalidated. Be done. On the other hand, since each input / output relay is a
normally closed contact, it is automatically turned on by default and passes all audio signals.
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Then, each analog switch element composed of the electronically controlled switch (Esw) is
turned on or off depending on the state of resistance pull-up or pull-down. An example of on / off
setting by resistance pull-up or pull-down of each analog switch element is shown in the mixing
setting line to the stereo bus L, R, since there is no element (A fader) that can adjust the level. It is
preferable to set pull-down so that the elements 17a and 17b are turned off. On the other hand,
in the output channel corresponding to the group bus GROUP, as described above, the pan
control balance volume 27 and the analog switch element 28 a, a signal variably adjusted to a
desired level by the “A fader” operator 25. By redistributing to the stereo buses L and R via
28b, it is possible to perform mixing setting at a desired level. Therefore, it is preferable to assign
a group to each input channel so that the group bus GROUP can be utilized. As an example,
assuming that the number of input channels is 16 and the number of output channels
corresponding to the group bus GROUP is 4, it is assumed that every four input channels are
allocated to one group, and the analog corresponding to the group to which the input channels
are allocated. The resistance pull-up is set to turn on only the switch elements 18a to 18n, and
the resistance pull-down is set to turn off the other analog switch elements.
For example, assuming that input channel # 1 is assigned to the first bus group (GROUP # 1), it
corresponds to the first bus group (GROUP # 1) among the mixing setting lines for group bus
GROUP in input channel # 1. The resistance pull-up is set to turn on only the analog switch
element 18a, and the resistance pull-down is set to turn off the other analog switch elements 18b
to 18n. The analog switch elements 28a and 28b for the stereo buses L and R in each output
channel corresponding to the group bus GROUP should preferably be set to resistance pull-up so
as to be all turned on by default. As a result, although it is a group unit, even if the digital power
supply is down, mixing level variable adjustment can be performed to perform mixing processing
to the stereo buses L and R. As for the mixing to the auxiliary bus AUX, since the “A fader”
operators 19 a to 19 n are provided in the mixing setting line for each auxiliary bus AUX in the
input channel, the level control is performed by the “C fader” of each input channel Even if this
is not possible, variable setting of the desired mixing level may be manually performed with
these "A fader" operators 19a to 19n. Accordingly, the analog switch elements 20a to 20n in the
mixing setting line for each auxiliary bus AUX in each input channel may be set to resistance
pull-up so that all of them are turned on by default. In the above embodiment, a predetermined
reference voltage (ground level) is supplied to the Y input of the selector 32 of FIG. 1, and the
VCA 13 is fixed at a predetermined gain when the CPU function is stopped. However, the present
invention is not limited to this. Even when the CPU function is stopped, the operation amount by
the fader operator 13a may be reflected in the control of the VCA 13. For that purpose, as shown
by a dotted line in FIG. 1, a slide type variable resistor 13d having decibel characteristics is
provided corresponding to the fader operator 13a, and based on the output of the slide type
variable resistor 13d An analog voltage of a decibel characteristic corresponding to the amount
of operation of the fader operator 13a may be generated and input to the Y input of the selector
32 instead of the predetermined reference voltage (ground level). Then, when the Y input of the
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selector 32 is selected according to the CPU control enable signal CCE at the time of stopping the
CPU function, the decibel characteristics of the voltage generation circuit 13e according to the
operation amount of the fader operator 13a. An analog voltage is selected, and the gain of VCA
13 is set accordingly.
In this case, the slide variable resistor 13b having linear characteristics and the slide variable
resistor 13d having decibel characteristics may be provided in parallel in correspondence with
the fader operator 13a. Further, in this case, in order to reduce the manufacturing cost, the
sliding variable resistor 13d of the decibel characteristic is omitted, and the output of the sliding
variable resistor 13b of the linear characteristic is inputted to the voltage generating circuit 13e,
and the fader operator 13a An analog voltage of linear characteristics may be generated in
accordance with the operation amount of. In that case, although the operation performance of
the VCA 13 is inferior, it can be adopted as an emergency measure at the time of stopping the
CPU function in terms of cost. Note that the pull-up or pull-down resistance circuit for the supply
line of the control signal of each analog switch element (Esw) is a factory set predetermined pullup or pull-down when the manufacturer manufactures the product of the present invention. The
circuit board may be prefabricated as such according to the specifications. Alternatively, the pullup or pull-down specification may be set or changed appropriately by a manufacturer's service
person by using a jumper wire. Alternatively, a dip switch for controlling the pull-up or pull-down
specification may be prepared, the specification of the setting may be disclosed to the user, and
the user may freely set it by dip switch operation. In the above embodiment, from the point of
lack of capacity of the analog power supplies 73 and 74, the power to the Csw switching control
unit 67 is supplied from the digital power supplies 68 and 69. However, if the capacity of the
analog power supplies 73 and 74 permits, it is preferable to supply power to the Csw switching
control unit 67 from the analog power supplies 73 and 74. By doing so, even when the digital
power supplies 68 and 69 shut down, the Csw switching control unit 67 operates effectively, and
the operation of the analog switch element (Esw) corresponding to the “C switch” and the
relay can be secured. Therefore, in this case, setting of pull-up or pull-down for the supply line of
the control signal of each analog switch element (Esw) is not necessary. In the above
embodiment, although the slide type variable resistor 13 b is provided in the fader operator 13 a
and the operation amount is detected from the output voltage thereof, a linear encoder or a
rotary encoder is provided in the fader operator 13 a, An operation amount may be detected
from the encoder output.
In the above embodiment, a relay is used as a circuit element for on / off control of an input
channel and the like, and an analog switch as a circuit element for on / off control of an output to
a mixing bus such as stereo bus L and R. Although the elements are used, the present invention is
not limited to this. Both may use relays, or both may use analog switch elements. Moreover, it is
not limited to the relay and the analog switch element, and any switching element that can be
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electrically controlled from the outside may be used. In the above embodiment, the fader of the
input channel is "C fader" and the fader of each output channel is "A fader". However, the present
invention is not limited to this, which fader is "C fader" and which fader is "A fader" It may be
determined arbitrarily. The number n of group buses GPOUP and the number n of auxiliary buses
AUX may be equal to or different from each other. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, whether or not
the operation of the CPU 51 is normal is checked only when the power of the analog mixer is
turned on. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Of course, it may be performed
continuously after that. For example, after the CPU 51 sets the CPU control enable signal CCE
output from the parallel I / O 59 to “1”, it automatically changes to “0” after a
predetermined time passes, and the CPU 51 changes it to The CPU control enable signal CCE may
be reset to "1" periodically at short intervals. Then, if an abnormality occurs in the CPU 51, the
CPU controllable signal CCE output from the parallel I / O 59 automatically becomes "0" after a
predetermined time by failing to reset the operation, and the operation of the CPU It can notify
you of an abnormality. As described above, according to the present invention, in the CPUcontrolled analog mixer, the abnormality in the digital control system such as stop of the CPU
function or shutdown of the digital power supply is coped with, and the mixing process is
performed. It has the excellent effect of being able to continue as much as possible. BRIEF
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of
a mixing unit of an analog mixer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a
block diagram showing a configuration example of a CPU control unit connected to the mixing
unit of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a view showing an arrangement example of operating element modules
provided on the operating panel of the analog mixer according to the embodiment;
4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a Csw switching control unit in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of a main routine executed by the CPU in
FIG. 2; 6 is a flowchart showing an example of on-event processing of “C switch” (Csw)
executed by the CPU in FIG. 2; FIG. Description of the code 10 VCA 13a for faders 13 faders for
faders ("C fader" type) 17a, 17b, 18a to 18n, 20a to 20n, 28a, 28b Analog switch elements ("C
switch" type electron Control switch Esw) 14, 23a, 23b, 26, 31 relay ("C switch" type) 22a, 22b,
25, 30 fader control ("A fader" type) 47 "C switch" type control (Csw) 50 CPU control unit 51
CPU 52 flash memory 53 RAM 67 Csw switching control unit L, R Stereo bus GROUP group bus
AUX auxiliary bus
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